A TOWN councillor has suggested the new director of the Marine Theatre should 'knock it down' and build a new theatre complex in Lyme Regis.

Cllr Derek Hallett raised the idea when Marine Theatre director Clemmie Reynolds presented her three-year business plan to Lyme Regis Town Council's strategy and policy committee last week.

Included in Ms Reynolds' business plan is proposals to encourage more young people and businesses to use the theatre and to make the Marine Theatre a 'more viable business' while fixing structural problems with the building.

Cllr Hallett praised Ms Reynolds for her enthusiasm, but suggested an overhaul could allow the theatre to 'support the town for the next 200 years'.

He said: "I don't think you've gone far enough.

"I would suggest you knock it down and build a cafe and a bar on the bottom with a lovely new theatre above it and six £500,000 apartments on the top of it.

"You will have to raise a lot of money yourself to do it, but you could have a brand new facility to support the town for the next 200 years. I don't think you are looking big enough."

Since 2013, Lyme Regis Town Council has given the Marine Theatre an annual grant of £32,000.

Addressing town councillors, Ms Reynolds said: "I know there are major structural issues with the Marine.

"I'm excited to take on those challenges and grow the Marine over the next three years."

Ms Reynolds will look at offering more daytime events, as well as themed music evenings aimed at younger people.

"I want the Marine to really be at the heart of the community," she added.

"I want to fundraise for the hole in the roof and fix the structural problems once and for all.

"I want to try and make the Marine a more viable business. Hopefully eventually we can be less reliant on town council subsidy."

This year, the Marine Theatre has spent more than £11,000 of renovating the front roof of the building, while Ms Reynolds has submitted grant applications to fund roof repairs - as well as a joint application with The Hub and The Town Mill for disabled toilets.

Councillors urged that the structural repairs are completed before any overhaul of the business takes place.

Cllr Stan Williams described the far end of the buildings as 'very disgraceful' and raised concerns the structure could have an adverse impact on tourism in the town.

Cllr Brian Larcombe said: "There is some great stuff here but I do think you need to qualify it with some kind of date.

"There's no point having a theatre when the rain comes in. Let's have the maintenance and the roof fixed and make sure the thing is fit for purpose."